Valentina

The next morning settled upon me, and arm in arm, Lillian and I walked through town. The sun sat high above, as if reminding me what I’d be missing out on when I married into Hidden Spear. A sigh escaped my lips as I took in the town I cherished with all my heart—the town I’d soon be leaving.

“My attempted seduction last night failed,” I said, turning to face Lillian. She’d been a good friend and hadn’t asked how it went. Perhaps she was mulling over my leaving as much as I was, or maybe she was trying to ignore the grim reality for as long as she could. “Why does Matteo have to be so damn honorable?”

“There are plenty of other men in town,” Lillian replied.

I sighed again, knowing very well that the result would end up being the same with any guy. All the men are going to err on the side of caution because I’m the Alpha’s daughter. Did I really think Matteo was going to sleep with me just because I asked?

Lillian and I kept on, and we stopped at a brightly colored boutique with ornately embroidered clothes displayed in the window. I peered inside, noticing that the store had all of Silver Ash’s latest women’s fashion. I admired a floor-length skirt from the window with a long slit that adorned the side. The mauve fabric would’ve looked so pretty against my brown skin. So cute…

“I really am going to miss this place.” More than just the location, I was going to miss everything else about living in the Silver Ash community. Snow and distance kept Hidden Spear away from civilization for at least half the year. I was probably never going to see Lillian again, and she’d been the only person to ever bring out my fun side. For years, she’d been my sole confidante and the sister I never had. I’m going to need her more than I ever have before, and she won’t even get to come to my wedding….

“Your face is making me so sad,” Lillian chimed in. “We’ll write letters to each other all the time, and I’ll keep you updated on all the juicy gossip.” I pouted at her words, for I knew she would stay true to her word, but it still hurt. I bore into her amber eyes, trying to remember every detail of my best friend that I could commit to memory. “C’mon Tina, you know our friendship is strong enough to withstand the distance. And it’s not like you won’t be able to visit. Though, I don’t know about me visiting in all that snow…”

Her reply drew a grim chuckle from me. Lillian likely wouldn’t visit—and I didn’t want to think about what that meant for my father and brother. When I married Kenji, I’d be alone in a strange new world, truly a fish out of water. Fish out of water suffocate … they die.

I sighed again. “I just hope I’m strong enough to survive the isolation.”

Later that evening, when the moon shone brightly in the night sky, and the clock ticked closer to my departure, I sat at the long table in my father’s dining room. Cassius had thrown me a farewell dinner and invited all the people I cared about, including Antonio, Lillian, and Matteo. High-ranking members of the pack sat around the table, too, and the room filled with a light chatter that already made my chest sore. With enough courage, I stood while Cassius clinked his glass with a fork. He joined me at the front of the room, and the eyes of the dinner party guests turned to me. Against my dismay, I grew uncomfortable as my gaze burned with tears.

“You might wonder why I gathered you here this evening,” my father began. “Valentina will be moving to Hidden Spear to marry their Alpha’s son.”

The room erupted with gasps, causing Cassius to raise his hand to quiet our guests. “I know this might come as a surprise, but with Gio’s murder of Kaori, this is the only way to prevent a war with Hidden Spear.”

He threw his arm around me after making his announcement.

Hold it together Valentina. Don’t cry now!

“As Alpha, I know this is the right decision to make for the pack, but as a father, it is devastating.” He talked about how he wanted to protect me and keep me closer. “But I take solace in knowing that Valentina will continue to be a great ambassador of Silver Ash, ultimately not only repairing the damage to our relationship with Hidden Spear, but strengthening our relationship with the pack, as well.”

I sniffled and held back tears when I locked eyes with Matteo. In his eyes, I saw reflected back a sense of understanding about my erratic behavior the previous night. Every part of me burned with embarrassment that I couldn’t bear to focus on since the room had grown muted. They wanted me to say something—anything—and I didn’t know how I was going to get any words out without crumbling into pieces.

Then, a glass was lifted in the air from across the room. It was held by Antonio, who then made his way to the front of the room.

“You are making a tremendous sacrifice,” Antonio said as he approached me. His expression bore his emotions, including the smile that met his eyes. “I admire you so much, sister.” He hugged me as he continued whispering, low in my ear. “You’re a true heroine, Valentina, but I’m going to miss you so much.”

I hugged my brother back, despite knowing not all of his words could be true. He’ll take over as father’s consigliere once I’m gone. He’s probably jumping for joy.

Antonio released me only for Matteo to pull me aside. Now that Cassius had finished his speech, our guests resumed their chatter. Still, I could feel their eyes burning me from where I stood.

Matteo’s usually kind eyes had clouded with worry. “Now I understand why you put the moves on me last night. I’m so sorry this is happening to you.”

“Thanks…though if I wasn’t a virgin, I could still get out of this thing,” I replied, chewing on my bottom lip and settling my tears.

“I wish you would’ve just said something. I would’ve been willing to help you save yourself.” He paused, as if mulling over his words before saying them. I bore into him, my eyes pleading. “You could sneak away to see me after dinner. It isn’t too late, is it?”

“Yes!” I leaped into his arms. “I mean no, it’s not too late!”

My chest exploded with hope that maybe there was still a way to escape my fate just as the doors of my father’s dining room opened. My smile faltered at the sight of a man I didn’t know being escorted by two Silver Ash guards. Cassius walked toward him and extended a hand.

“I am Yuma from Hidden Spear,” the man said. “And I am here to escort Kenji’s new bride to her wedding.”

The room erupted with questions, and my pulse thundered so hard in my chest that I thought my heart might leap out of my ribcage.

“We’re leaving tonight,” Yuma continued.

“No, I did not agree to this,” my father interjected. “My daughter wants and needs to remain in Silver Ash for as long as possible with her family before the wedding.”

I tried to hide behind Matteo’s larger form, as if that would help. As if that would stop Yuma from taking me back to Hidden Spear to marry Kenji.

“Valentina needs to get to the Alpha residence early to prepare for the wedding. It is important that the ceremony goes off without a hitch.”

My father stepped closer with Antonio on his heels as backup. I remained hidden at the front of the room, watching from the space between Matteo’s arm and his torso.

“I don’t think you heard what I said,” Cassius growled.

Yuma, unafraid, remained poised. “If you refuse this, it will be considered a violation of the deal you struck with Sunya, and Hidden Spear will consider it a declaration of war.”

The word "war" hung in the air.

The room was completely silent as our guests watched in horror.

I looked up at Matteo, who’d turned to me with a sullen expression. My chance at escaping was gone. He moved aside, exposing me to Yuma, who cut his gaze to me from the doorway.

Cassius continued, almost pleading. “The only way I’ll agree to this is if I accompany my daughter to Hidden Spear.”

Yuma nodded. “Of course. That is what Sunya expects. A father should be at his daughter’s wedding to give her away.” He returned his eyes to me. “I hope you’re packed. If not, I’d be happy to assist you, as we have a late-night train to catch.”

One by one, ourguests hugged me. thers bowed. Antonio reached in for another embrace, as did Matteo. Lillian held me for a moment too long, earning a nudge from Antonio, who’d been keeping a keen eye on the Hidden Spear stranger at the door.

This time, I couldn’t stop the tears as they ushered down my cheeks. I wiped them away as I climbed the stairs to gather my belongings, and my stomach roiled at the realization that I’d be leaving my home in a matter of minutes. It twisted with each step I made back down the stairs toward Yuma once I’d hastily packed a bag.

When we stepped outside, not even Cassisus’ presence behind me could calm my anxious bones.

I turned, taking a final look back at my house, wondering when or if I’d ever see it again.